HOUSTON — Tropical Depression Beta made landfall over the Matagorda Bay Peninsula around 10 p.m. Monday as a tropical storm with sustained winds of 45 mph.
Later, it parked over the Houston area and dumped enough rain to cause flash flooding in several areas. The flood threat continues through midday Wednesday.
Tap here for additional updates on the flash flooding caused by a very slow-moving Beta.
2:30 p.m. Tuesday Conditions from Tropical Depression Beta have temporarily improved at TxDOT’s Galveston-Bolivar Ferry Office with the tidal level dropping and allowing for a window of ferry operations to resume. The ferry will temporarily resume service this evening until approximately 5 or 6 p.m. while conditions along the Texas coast allow. No nighttime operations will be attempted due to forecasted high tide levels and safety concerns.
Ferry services will continue to resume and pause as conditions change. This could last throughout the next few days as Tropical Storm Beta makes its way through the Gulf of Mexico and brings high winds and changing tidal conditions to the Texas coast.
2:30 p.m. Tuesday Drone 11 shot this video of a Pearland neighborhood off Yost Blvd.
2:20 p.m. Tuesday Houston drivers who had to leave their car in floodwaters, can find it at FindMyTowedCar.com #TurnAroundDon'tDrown.
1:55 p.m. Tuesday This video of a massive fire ant raft is one of the many reasons you shouldn't wade into floodwaters! These ants linked together and trapped air under their bodies to create the "raft." Thanks to League City for the video. Send your weather snaps and video directly to us by clicking on the Near Me section of our app. Stay safe everyone!
1:11 p.m. Tuesday Jeff Lindner, with the Harris County Flood Control District, confirmed there is flooding in structures on both sides -- Harris and Galveston counties -- of Clear Creek. These flooded homes are along Scarsdale.
Lindner said they're keeping a close eye on Brays Bayou but it's stayed in its banks, so far. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo credits Project Brays with helping to keep the water down.
The midday break in rainfall helped lower the levels of Buffalo and Keegan's bayous.
VIDEO: Rushing water at Brays Bayou near McGregor
1:02 p.m. Tuesday Biggest problem areas in the southeast where 9 to 14 inches of rain have fallen -- most of it in the last 24 hours. Clear Creek is out of its banks through Pearland and Friendswood, according to Chief Meteorologist David Paul. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said they have received preliminary reports of water in homes near Clear Creek.
12:55 p.m. Tuesday Flash Flood Warning for Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston and Harris counties extended until 4:45 p.m. Tuesday. Live radars
12:40 p.m. Tuesday KHOU 11 News Chief Meteorologist David Paul said a "dry slot" from the Gulf is giving us a break from the heavy rainfall. However, the threat of more heavy rain continues Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday morning. There are blue skies and sunshine in Kemah and other areas south of Houston, but warmer temperatures could increase our chances of more rain.
12:20 p.m. Tuesday Water was over the sidewalks near Milam, Travis and Commerce where Buffalo Bayou and White Oak Bayou come together, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said.
11:28 a.m. Tuesday Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo confirmed the department has completed at least 27 rescues since 6 a.m. Tuesday morning. They're prepared with eight boats and 16 high-water rescue vehicles. Most rescues have been in the southern parts of the city, including four high-water rescues and 24 vehicles towed in downtown.
Houston Fire Chief Samuel Pena said his department has completed 60 rescues, mostly street-level assignments. Firefighters haven't had to use any of the 32 watercrafts that are prepared for deployment.
Both officials urged residents to stay off the roads if possible.
"It just takes one foot of water to grab your vehicle and sweep it away," Pena said.
11:09 a.m. Tuesday Mayor Turner said city of Houston employees, with the exception of essential workers, will not be reporting to work Tuesday due to the inclement weather.
11 a.m. Tuesday Mayor Sylvester Turner and emergency management officials discuss the city's response to Tropical Depression Beta, which has caused flooding throughout parts of the Houston area.
10 a.m. Tuesday Beta has been downgraded to a tropical depression with max winds at 35 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center
9:41 a.m. Tuesday The city of Bellaire has suspended several service due to flooding and other severe weather. Officials said there will be no solid waste and recycling pick-up Tuesday and Wednesday. In addition:
- City Hall, the library and pools are all closed
- Municipal Court dockets are canceled Tuesday and court services windows are closed
9:10 a.m. Tuesday Trae tha Truth and his band of volunteers, known as the Relief Gang, were out helping Houston residents stranded in floodwaters from Tropical Storm Beta.
8:40 a.m. Tuesday Harris County Public Health has closed all testing sites due to severe weather from Tropical Storm Beta. Visit www.hcphtx.org for more information.
8:34 a.m. Tuesday National Weather Services has issued a Flash Flood Warning for the south and southwestern parts of Houston including Pearland, League City, Missouri City until 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.
7:30 a.m. Tuesday Drivers heading to work should avoid Highway 288 near the Texas Medical Center. It's underwater.
7:18 a.m. Tuesday Prairie View A&M University will move to remote operations today due to flooding associated with Tropical Storm Beta.
6:52 a.m. Tuesday Galena ISD employees will work remotely and all instruction will be virtual on Tuesday, Sept. 22.
6:45 a.m. Tuesday Sheldon ISD will be continue with virtual instruction and employees will work remotely on Tuesday, Sept. 22. All buildings and schools will be closed.
6:44 a.m. Tuesday Humble ISD facilities and campuses are closed Tuesday, Sept. 22. All instruction will be online.
6:42 a.m. Tuesday KIPP Texas-Houston buildings will be closed Tuesday, Sept. 22. Virtual learning will continue as scheduled. Grab & Go meal service distribution is canceled.
6:38 a.m. Tuesday Aldine ISD campuses and facilities are closed Tuesday, Sept. 22. The district said employees are required to work remotely and online instruction will continue for all students.
6:34 a.m. Tuesday The University of Houston-Downtown is moving to online operations for Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020 due to widespread flooding associated with Tropical Storm Beta. Classes will be conducted online. Employees are instructed to work remotely.
6:33 a.m. Tuesday University of Houston, including the main campus, UH at Katy and UH at Sugar Land campuses, will be moving to remote learning only for Tuesday, Sept. 22. Employees are instructed to work remotely, and on-campus services will be limited.
6:29 a.m. Tuesday Spring Branch ISD campuses and offices will be closed Tuesday, Sept. 22. All students will learn from home. Please monitor the SBISD website and social media for more information.
6:24 a.m. Tuesday Flash Flood Warning extended for Houston area until 8:30 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.
6:18 a.m. Tuesday Cypress-Fairbanks ISD is closed Tuesday, Sept. 22. District officials said there will be no in-person or remote instruction. All before and after school activities are cancelled as well.
6:15 a.m. Tuesday Alvin ISD is closed Tuesday, Sept. 22. The closure impacts both in-person and remote classes.
5:37 a.m. Tuesday San Jacinto College has canceled all on-campus operations and closed all facilities for Tuesday, Sept. 22. Employees will work remotely from home, and all online learning will continue.
5:30 a.m. Tuesday Alief ISD buildings are closed Tuesday, Sept. 22. District officials said there will be no in-person learning, and it is a fully remote learning day for all staff and students.
5:15 a.m. Tuesday Pearland ISD has canceled classes for both in-person and remote learning students Tuesday, Sept. 22, due to inclement weather.
5:02 a.m. Tuesday Houston police are closing off Highway 288 in both directions at the I-610 South Loop due to high water. Full list of high water areas.
4:57 a.m. Tuesday La Porte ISD is closed Tuesday, Sept. 22. Virtual learning is also canceled.
4:56 a.m. Tuesday Houston ISD facilities and offices are closed Tuesday, Sept. 22. Employees are required to work remotely. Virtual at-home instruction will continue. Read more.
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11:11 p.m. Monday Houston Fire Chief Sam Pena said the Houston Fire Department has completed 20 evacuations from flooded vehicles.
10:19 p.m. Monday Harris County Precinct 4 deputies are reporting roadway flooding between Synott Road and S Kirkwood Road & W Belford Road and Bissonnet Street.
9:54 p.m. Monday There is a flash flood warning for Brazoria, Matagorda, and Wharton Counties until 1 a.m. Tuesday.
9:24 p.m. Monday Photos sent in from viewer David Galewski of flooding in the Alief area.
9:15 p.m. Monday: Major flooding near Highway 59 at Bellfort
9:14 p.m. Monday Jeff Linder says Brays Bayou at Gessner is 3 feet from bankfull.
9:08 p.m. Monday There is a flood warning for the Keegans Bayou At Roark Road. According to Harris County Flood Control District Meteorologist Jeff Linder, overbank flooding is likely.
8:30 p.m. Monday: Flash Flood Warning for Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston and Harris counties extended until 11:30 p.m.
8 p.m. Monday: David Paul has an update on Tropical Storm Beta as it continues a slow crawl toward Texas.
7:20 p.m. Monday: Flash flood warning for parts of Brazoria, Galveston and Harris counties until 8:30 p.m.
LIVE RADAR: /radar
6:50 p.m. Monday: Don't be "that person" who speeds through floodwaters, pushing water into already flooded areas.
6:40 p.m. Monday: Waves from Tropical Storm Beta damaged or destroyed several piers along the Texas Gulf Coast, including this one in San Leon.
5:45 p.m. Monday: This is FM 2031 in Matagorda County. Water is covering the road as Tropical Storm Beta moves closer.
5:30 p.m. Monday: According to The Weather Channel, Tropical Storm Beta will move back into the Gulf after it makes landfall in Texas before making a second landfall in Louisiana.
5:10 p.m. Monday: Even though rain has been sporadic in Houston, there are some high water spots on city roadways. If you have to get out, be careful and don't drive into high water! Just a foot of water can sweep a vehicle off the road. Tap here to see the latest problem areas.
4:30 p.m. Monday: Most Houston Health Department-affiliated COVID-19 testing sites are closed due to Tropical Storm Beta. The following sites are Open on Tuesday, Sept. 22:
- Ibn Sina North Shepherd Community Clinic, 5012 N Shepherd Drive: Appointment required by calling 832-426-3760
- Ibn Sina Wilcrest Community Clinic,11226 S Wilcrest Drive: Appointment required by calling 281-495-7462
The schedule is subject to change and updates will be provided at HoustonEmergency.org as information is available.
3:46 p.m. Monday: In the latest update from the National Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Beta has slowed to 5 mph as it chugs toward the Texas Coast. Sustained winds are at 45 mph.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from Port Aransas Texas to Morgan City Louisiana. A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for Port Aransas, Texas to Sabine Pass, Texas including Copano Bay, Aransas Bay, San Antonio Bay, Matagorda Bay, and Galveston Bay.
2:45 p.m. Monday: Piles of large tree branches, trash and other debris have washed ashore on Quintana Beach in Brazoria County.
2:20 p.m. Monday: Jeff Lindner, a meteorologist with the Harris County Flood Control District, said the bayous are all in their banks. Lindner said their biggest concern is Clear Creek.
2:05 p.m. Monday: Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo joins local emergency management officials and meteorologists for an update on county preparations for Tropical Storm Beta.
"Please don’t sleep on potential impacts from this storm. Stay informed," Hidalgo said.
She warned Harris County could see 4 to 8 inches of rain.
"If it’s spread out, we’ll be okay but if we get it very quickly – in one band – we could have issues," Hidalgo said.
The Office of Emergency Management is working with the Houston Fire Department and law enforcement partners to prepare high water rescue vehicles -- just in case.
1:38 p.m. Monday: Storm chaser Charles Peek spotted large chunks of road ripped apart on Beach Drive in Surfside.
1:15 p.m. Monday: KHOU 11 Weather Tropical Storm Warning for Harris, Wharton, Fort Bend, Matagorda, Brazoria and Galveston County. A tornado warning for Galveston will expire at 1:30 p.m.
12:50 p.m. Monday: KHOU 11 News Photojournalist Sergio Soto shot this video showing the power of Tropical Storm Beta's waves as they destroy this pier in Kemah.
You can use the KHOU 11 app to send us your pics and video by tapping "Near Me." (But stay safe! Don't take chances in flooded areas or near big waves.)
11:30 a.m. Monday: Scholes Airport in Galveston is flooded, closing runways there.
10:30 a.m. Monday: Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 29 Texas counties. You can read the full declaration here.
10 a.m. Monday: Seabrook mayor signs disaster declaration. From the city's Facebook page: "Mayor Thom Kolupski has signed a local disaster declaration to assist the City of Seabrook with mitigating and recovering from Tropical Storm Beta.
Residents should avoid impassable streets due to minor storm surge flooding. Tropical Storm Beta updates are available online at www.seabrooktx.gov/beta.
Download the Declaration of Disaster at https://bit.ly/35Z0HmP"
7:50 a.m. Monday: Several Seabrook roads are impassible.
7 a.m. Monday: High water moving into Kemah
4 a.m. Monday: Tropical Storm Beta is now expected to make landfall tonight, which is later than forecast yesterday. The storm also weakened.
4 a.m. Monday:. : Pasadena ISD is one of the school districts that has canceled classes today. See a full list of all districts that won't have class today.
11:15 p.m. Sunday: Meteorologist Blake Mathews provides the latest updates on Tropical Storm Beta.
11 p.m. Sunday: Galveston is already starting to see the effects of Tropical Storm Beta. Water from the Gulf is pushing up shore causing flooding in some areas.
10:30 p.m. Sunday: The rough surf took out part of the 61st Street Pier in Galveston. This is video showing the pier as it came apart. It was live streamed on the Saltwater-recon.com Facebook page.
5:45 p.m. Sunday: Houston Public Works (HPW) will temporarily lower Lake Houston to 41.5 feet in anticipation of Tropical Storm Beta. The City of Houston said property owners should secure property along the shoreline.
5:44 p.m. Sunday: The Houston Health Department-affiliated COVID-19 testing sites are closed until further notice due to Tropical Storm Beta.
4 p.m. Sunday: Sylvan Beach and Park, as well as the fishing pier is closed.
3:30 p.m. Sunday: Galveston County ISD has canceled all remote and in-person classes for Monday, September 21 and Tuesday, September 22. See more school closings.
2:35 p.m. Sunday: Jackson County Judge Jill S. Sklar has signed a disaster declaration and issued a voluntary evacuation notice for residents living in low-lying areas of the county.
2:15 p.m. Sunday: Sweeny ISD has canceled all in-person classes, remote instruction and extracurricular activities for Monday, Sept. 21.
2 p.m. Sunday: Texas A&M University at Galveston has issued a shelter-in-place for its campus from now through Tuesday, Sept. 22. due to Tropical Storm Beta.
1: 45 p.m. Sunday: More voluntary evacuations for Galveston County include Dickinson in low-lying areas, La Marque outside the levee system, Jamaica Beach, Kemah, Tiki Island, Bayou Vista Full list of evacuations.
1: 30 p.m. Sunday: Liberty County has issued a disaster declaration and voluntary evacuation for low-lying areas that are prone to flooding. Check all evacuations here.
12 p.m. Sunday: Galveston ISD has announced the closing of the Crenshaw campus on Bolivar Peninsula for Monday.
11: 15 a.m. Sunday: Matagorda ISD will be closed Monday, September 21, 2020 due to Tropical Storm Beta
11 a.m. Sunday: Galveston College issues shelter-in-place from Monday, September 21 through Wednesday, September 23. A shelter-in-place limits access to and from the campus to essential personnel and student residents. All instruction and college operations will continue to take place remotely. Academic and student services will be available online, by phone or by email. Food service will continue with modified accommodations for student residents.
10: 30 a.m. Sunday: We're seeing photos and videos of high water in our coastal communities. Below are photos and videos that have been sent to us from viewers Saturday and Sunday morning. Download the KHOU 11 news app to send photos and videos to us straight from your camera roll.
8 a.m. Sunday: Bolivar Ferry stops operation due to Tropical Storm Beta
Saturday morning: Several coastal communities have issued voluntary evacuations. You can find them all here.
